Midlands Hindu Society in association with the Hindi Shiksha Sangh 70th Anniversary celebration and Hindvani bring you Pietermaritzburg’s most exciting ever Mega Holi and Pongal Festival on the 21st March at the Protea Grounds from 12h00 to 20h00.
This is going to be a celebration of all celebrations. We’ve had Holi celebrations and we’ve had Pongal celebrations but having these two festivals celebrated in one event is a first. As always, and in keeping with Midlands Hindu Society’s motto of ‘Unity in Diversity’, the organisation decided to bring the cultural and religious significance of both festivals; and the communities celebrating it, together in one mega celebration. This is not a colourfest; this is Holi and Pongal with attention to the religious and cultural aspects of both festivals.
Holi and Pongal are both fun festivals and Midlands Hindu Society aims to deliver that aplenty, hence the community is invited to gather your families, friends, neighbours, members of your organisations or just yourself and come join in the fun. It is going to be a time to get in touch with the child inside you as you get involved in the activities planned for the day.
Whilst this is a Hindu festival, Midlands Hindu Society extends the invite to the broader community to come and enjoy this festival with us. March 21st is Human Rights Day and as a country we have achieved so much in terms of overcoming the barriers that separated us in the past, let us celebrate our human right to freedom, fun and unity in our diversity.
The celebrations commence at midday with traditional games. This is something many of us need to reconnect with and is also an opportune time for the younger generation to be introduced to the games of the past. This will be followed by the religious celebration of the essence of both Holi and Pongal after which it will be a show of teamwork, strength and dexterity as teams come together to form human pyramids in a race to be the first to break the clay pot thus signifying the start of the splashing of colour and then the fun begins…
Midlands Hindu Society has packed the event with all the ingredients for enjoyment in significant measures, so prepare to have some serious fun, some friendly competition, splashes of colour, music, dance, Djs, food stall, Radio Hindvani live broadcast and a few surprise elements. You are encouraged to dress in the traditional white attire and be prepared to get splashed with colour and to get wet in pure Holi tradition.
Supper will be served. There will be strict security at the event to ensure that those supporting the festival feel safe.
To ensure that nobody misses out on the festival, Midlands Hindu Society has arranged free buses to bring those who do not have transport but want to attend the festival to the grounds. The buses will pick up passengers at 10h30 from Copesville Community Hall, Northdale Civic Centre, Sanathan Ved Dharam Sabha Hall, Plessislaer Arya Samaj and T.P.A Hall.
For enquiries contact Sunitha Hiralal on 079 112 8536, Prashantha Ramesar on 079 910 0198 or Sherry Mahabeer on 083 597 4854.
